iPhone? Android? Windows Phone 7? Need recommendations.

[Don]

My current phone is based off old Windows Mobile 6.5. Looking to upgrade and have a list of things I need in a phone:
-Speed. This means responsiveness.
-Support. This means that the platform is well supported in terms of 3rd party apps and HW
-Customizable. The phone environment is easily tweakable
-Filesystem. Basically I like to use my phone like I use my PC. I like to create folders, organize files in specific locations, etc

iPhone seems great for #1 and #2. It seems super fast and well supported. But from what I understand, iPhone (Apple in general) is not very customizable and you really can't get access to the filesystem and have control of it like Windows Mobile

I don't know Android phones well, but I am guessing that they are fairly fast and look well supported and I assume customizable. But do you have access to the filesystem like in windows mobile?

I have yet to play with a Windows 7 phone. But it seems like you lost some of the customizable environment that you have with windows mobile. Is there still a "windows explorer" functionality?

 

[fmahovalich]

Go with the Samsung Galaxy!

 

[danibbler]

At first glance, I would cross the iPhone off of your list but if you do a Google search on "files folders iphone" you may find something.

 

[ctv250]

I would recommend you get advice from people who have the phones you mentioned rather than the ones who will come on here and tell you which phone not to get even though they have never owned one. I just changed my BB Torch (junk, which is disappointing because I would like to support Canadian companies) for an iPhone which is great (very fast and ease of use). But you are correct about the file system, so it probably isn't the right phone for you. Maybe someone with the Samsung can provide feedback. I have a friend who owns one and she raves about how great it is, but I really don't know what she likes about it or if it would meet your needs.

 

[Cobster]

try both, get what you like.
Samsung Galaxy S2 is SIIIIICK, snappy, fast, etc, etc.
Apple is pretty slick too, but I do prefer Android just a tad bit more than the iPhone.
You can install your own custom OS versions of Android on any Android - if you're into that.
Just re-read the post and saw your post about folders and file systems. You can create your own folders and move files around if that's what you mean, so yes.
You can only do so once your phone is "rooted" (hacked), then you use an App called File Manager, Titanium Backup to do all these things.
The support for custom ROMs (tweaked versions of the Android OS) is very good, I'm using a Team Whiskey based ROM right now, very snappy, simple, fast solid based ROM. They have a forum on their site and the people on it are very helpful. Haven't used it yet, but from what I've read on XDA, they're excellent.


Try either or and go with what you like best.

 

[djk]

Don, if possible wait a little longer.

The iPhone 5 should be out in Sept. I'm in your position, too. My 3GS is getting long in the tooth. I'm considering the iPhone 5 or the Blackberry 9900.

 

[Tangwhich]

I have yet to try a windows 7 phone so I can't comment. I've owned an iphone, great phone but there's almost no flexibility with customizations. You're obviously a power user so these limits will probably frustrate you. It's one of the reasons I switched to android. I don't know what's coming on the soon to arrive iphone 5, but I very much doubt freedom to do what you want with your phone is one of them. You can (or may, depending on if apple plug the holes up) jailbreak to give you much more flexiblity.
If I was in your position I would be looking at the galaxy s2 right now. Although if you've got time the new Nexus phone will be out in the next 2 - 3 months and you can compare it to the iphone 5 if it's out by then.

 

[onthebottom]

Based on your criteria you want an Android phone....

OTB

 

[Don]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Seems like an android phone is the way to go for a power user like me. Still I am curious of Windows phone 7. One reason is that I am a power Windows desktop user and I liked how my windows mobile phone works so well with it.

 

[djk]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Seems like an android phone is the way to go for a power user like me. Still I am curious of Windows phone 7. One reason is that I am a power Windows desktop user and I liked how my windows mobile phone works so well with it.

Windows Phone 7 is modeled after iOS (what iPhones use). If you don't like iPhones, you might not like the new Windows Phone 7 OS.

 

[sidebanger]

I had a Galaxy S and now have a Galaxy S II. Awesome phones. S II is FAST. Android is the way to go for sure if you want flexibility, file management etc.

 

[DDfan]

Another vote for the Samsung galaxy S !

 

[Max Webster]

Ive been using windows phone 7 with a mango beta 2 upgrade and i love it. Proir to this i had the iphone 4 (and 3gs and before that the 3g) and i dont think ill be going back. I love the integration and the live tiles (which will only get better when developers update their programs to the mango version).

It doesnt have the apps that ios has but i think that is over rated (my iphone had about 45 apps requiring updating when i last used it but because i rarely use them i couldnt be bothered with the updates).

Before anyone accuses me of being anti-apple i should let you know that i have an ipad that i use a great deal. That was another reason for the change as it didnt make much sense to me to carry what is essentially two of the same devices only with different screen sizes.

I know ios 5 is coming with improved notifications but i dont think ill be going back. Excuse the typing as i am doing this on my ipad.

 

[basketcase]

...
Just re-read the post and saw your post about folders and file systems. You can create your own folders and move files around if that's what you mean, so yes.
You can only do so once your phone is "rooted" (hacked), then you use an App called File Manager, Titanium Backup to do all these things....

I could be wrong but I believe android apps such as Astro let you manage files and root permissions without rooting.

 

[basketcase]

win phone 7 is miles better than iOS. I have an iphone4, a BB 9780, a Android Sony Ericsson Xperia and a HTC win 7. The win7 is my favorite by a mile.

Might be more because of HTC's customizations than the W7 (but I'll leave that to preference). I've used HTC and Samsung android phones and even though the Samy has better stats, some of the HTC sense features were slick.

 

[Cobster]

I could be wrong but I believe android apps such as Astro let you manage files and root permissions without rooting.

I could be wrong in that case, so even better for the OP.
I could have sworn it had to be rooted, but now that you mention it, makes sense, probably not.

 

[b4u]

i just switched from iphone 4 to a samsung galaxy s 2. At this point i have zero regrets, the sammy is a sweet sweet phone and i LOVE the larger screen and blazing speed.
I'll stick to ipad for now for it's tablet apps but everything i had on my iphone i was able to find the same or a similar app for the samsung. best of both worlds for now

 

[PussyHunter]

I've been using a Samsung Galaxy S since it came out and I have no complaints. I love the phone. My brother has the Apple and you will notice a big weight difference in them as well. The samsung is very light.

 

[Cobster]

For those that use a phone with the touch screen - sorry I still have a Crapberry - but is there something U can get that acts as a screen protector so it can still function but protect it against scratches?

www.bestskinsever.com <-1/2 of the price of all the others and does the EXACT same job, I've used them and they're cheap, fast delivery and great customer service.

compare any of their protectors against anyone else and you'll see the price differences are ridiculous.